Dictation system



1957 D. E. TAYLOR ETAL 2,803,707

DICTATION SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 1, 1952 INVENTOR Douglas 13' T0220, v ZO}\'CZ R as m 54 -A 'ORS 1957 D. E. TAYLOR ETAL 2,803,707

DICTATION SYSTEM Filed April- 1, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN NTO Douglas XC I'a y ZOI' Lloyd R. Jones BY United States Patent DTCTATION SYSTEM Douglas E. Taylor, Westport, and Lloyd R. Jones, Bridgeport, Conn., assignors to Dictaphone Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn.

Application April 1, 1952, Serial No. 279,744 16 Claims. (Cl. 179-1001) This invention relates to ofiice-type dictation systems in which several dictation stations are connected to a central recording apparatus. For example, each of several ofiices may be equipped with a microphone and control circuits all connected to the common central dictating machine so that dictating can be done from any of the ofiices and recorded at the central location. More particularly, this invention relates to signaling and indicating arrangements for notifying the dictator, machine operator, and transcriber of the existence of certain operating conditions, and to remotely controlled marking apparatus by which visible marks are made on an indicator slip for the guidance of the person transcribing the dictation.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our earlier application, entitled Dictation System, Serial No. 250,122, filed October 6, 1951, which describes a remotely con trolled dictating system. The present invention represents a further improvement in centralized dictation systems and only those circuits having a direct bearing on the present invention have been included here; for further information on other parts of the system, reference is made to the above co-pending application.

In systems where the recordings are made at a place remote from the place where the dictating is being done, it is particularly important to provide a good indicating system so that each person associated with the system is aware at all times of its operating condition. In addition, a marking system should be provided for indicating errors, instructions, ends of letters, and the like on an indicator slip at the dictating machine. Experience indicates that confusion is minimized if two distinctive marks are available for the use of the dictator. Moreover, this signaling and indicator system should be so arranged as to require the fewest number of inter-ofiice connections consistent with simple and economical circuitry.

In the embodiment of the invention described below, either of two distinctive marks can be made on the indicator slip at the dictating machine. These marks are made by a marking device controlled remotely from any of the dictating stations. The first type of mark, usually used to indicate an error or the presence of instructions in the recorded material, is produced each time a marking switch is actuated. The second type of mark is made each time the cradle switch is actuated, either by hanging up the microphone or handset or by manual manipulation. In this example, the second type of mark is longer and ordinarily is used as an end-of-letter or end-of-dictation indication.

In addition, a signaling arrangement is included for reproduced each time the clutch switch is actuated to start the recording machine.

A visual indicator is provided at the central dictation machine for notifying the machine operator when the system is in use and also for indicating when the record has been almost filled with dictation so that the operator can change the record before it is completely filled and while the system is not in use. This decreases the likelihood that someone will start his dictation on a record that already is nearly full. These desirable features have been provided without substantially increasing the complexity of the system or the number of inter-oflice leads required.

These and other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention will be in part apparent from and in part pointed out in the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic and diagrammatic representation of a central dictation system incorporating the present invention;

Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the circuits for controlling the marking device and showing also the position of the marking device on the front of a dictating machine;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a portion of the front of the dictating machine showing the marking mechanism;

Figure 4 is an end view of the marking mechanism as seen from the left of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of Figure 3.

Figure 1 is a partial schematic View of a centralized telephone operated dictation system including those circuits required to explain the principles of the present invention. For other circuit details and for a fuller explanation of the operation of the entire system, reference is made to the above-identified application Serial No. 250,122. 7

The apparatus on the left of the vertical broken line 2 in Figure 1 represents the apparatus at one dictating station, it being understood that duplicates of this apparatus will be installed in each of the offices from which dictating is to be done. These dictating stations will be connected in parallel through the inter-ofiice leads 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 to the centrally-positioned recording apparatus, indicated diagrammatically on the right of the broken line 2.

When a person wishes to dictate, he lifts a telephone handset, containing a microphone 14 and a receiver 16, at the particular dictating station causing two cradleoperated switches 18 and 20 to close. These handsetoperated switches complete circuits (only partially illustrated) that permit operation of the central dictating apparatus from that station and which prevent operation or listening in from any other station.

The microphone 14 and receiver 16 are connected through a signal equalizing network, indicated in block form at 22, operating circuits indicated in block form at 24, the cradle-operated switch 18, and a relay control box, indicated in block form at 26, to the audio signal leads 4 and 6 over which the dictation and playback signals are carried.

The lead 6 is connected through an isolating condenser 28 to one end of a primary winding 30 of an audio input transformer 32. The other signal lead 4 is connected through a normally-closed contact 34 and arm 36 of a beep-control relay, generally indicated at 38, a lead 40, and an isolating condenser 42 to the other end of the winding 30.

The secondary winding 44 of the transformer 32 is taken along line 5-5 of connected by a shielded cable 46 to an amplifier assembly, indicated in block form at 48. The audio signals thus fed into the amplifier assembly are amplified and recorded in the usual manner, the recording apparatus, being conventional, has been omitted from this drawing in order to simplify it.

A switch, generally indicated at 50, operated by a push-button on the handset, operates the clutch (not shown) to start and stop the record (not shown). The circuit closed by the switch 50 can be traced from a negative output terminal 52 of a conventional power supply 54, which supplies power for operating the relays, through the inter-ofiice lead 12, the relay control box 26, a lead 56, an arm 58 and contact point 60 of a marking switch, generally indicated at 62, the clutch switch 50, the inter-office lead 8, an energizing winding 64 of a clutchoperating relay, generally indicated at 66, and a positive voltage supply lead 68 to the positive terminal 70 of the relay power supply 54.

When the clutch relay 66 is energized as described above, it closes circuits to actuate a clutch that starts the record for sound recording. These circuits and the drive and control mechanism for the record are omitted from the drawing. V V V The marking switch 62 is provided for denoting upon an indicator slip (indicated at 71 in Figure 2) which accompanies the record that an error has been made, that instructions have been recorded, or the like. These correction marks are made by means of a rotary solenoid, generally indicated schematically at 72 near the righthand margin of Figure l. The details of this marking mechanism will be set forth later.

Briefly, when the winding 74 of the solenoid 72 is energized, and the winding 76 of a control relay 78 is not energized, the solenoid 72 causes a short correction mark to be made on the indicator slip. However, if the control relay 78 is energized prior to the energization of the marking solenoid 72, a motion-limiting latch is removed from the path of an arm driven by the solenoid 72 permitting greater movement of the solenoid 72 and producing a longer mark on the indicator pad to denote, for example, the end of a letter.

When the marking switch 62 is actuated, a circuit is completed from the negative terminal 52 of the relay power supply 54 through the lead 12, the lead 56, arm 58 and a contact point 80 of the marking switch 62, the cradle-operated switch 20, inter-office lead 10, an energizing winding 82 of a marking relay, generally indicated at 84, and the positive supply lead 68 to the power supply 54.

When the marking relay 84 is energized, it closes its contacts 86 completing the marking solenoid circuit from the negative supply terminal 88 of a marking circuit power supply, indicated in block form at 90, through a lead 92, contact points 94 of the clutch relay 66, contacts 86 of the marking relay 84, the energizing winding 74 of the marking solenoid 72, a lead 96, and a resistor 98 to the positive terminal 100 of the power supply 90. A condenser 102 is connected between the negative terminal 88 of the power supply 90 and the junction of the series dropping resistor 98, and the lead 96.

When this circuit is completed, the condenser 102 discharges through the solenoid winding 74 producing the desired mark to indicate an error, instructions, or the like. When the mark has been made, and the condenser 102 is discharged, the solenoid 72 returns to its original condition because the voltage drop across the series re sistor 98 is so large that insufiicient current flows through the solenoid 72 to maintain its energization.

When this circuit is interrupted, by the opening of the marking switch 62 and deenergization of the marking relay 84, the condenser 102 recharges through the resistor 98 and, because no other current is flowing through the resistor 98, charges to the full voltage between the power supply terminals 83 and 100.

The longer mark, such as may be used to indicate the end of a letter or the end of a dictation, is made by replacing the handset upon its cradle or by manually actuating the cradle switch. When the dictation system is activated by lifting the handset from its cradle, a holding relay, generally indicated at 104, is energized by a circuit that can be traced from a negative terminal 52 of the relay power supply 54 through a lead 109, an energizing winding of the holding relay 104, the inter-ofiice signal lead 4, through low-resistance connections in the relay control box 26, the cradle-operated switch 18, the operating circuits 24, and the equalizing network 22, to the other inter-ofiice signal lead 6 and thence through another holding relay, generally indicated at 112, to the positive terminal 70 of the relay power supply 54.

Energization of the first-mentioned holding relay 104 completes a circuit from the positive terminal 100 of the power supply 90 through a lead 116, and a contact 118 and arm 120 of the holding relay 104 to one terminal of a condenser 122, the opposite terminal of which is connected through the lead 92 to the negative terminal 88 of the power supply 90.

Thus, when the handset is lifted from its cradle the condenser 122 is charged to the full output voltage of the power supply 90. When the handset is replaced, deenergizing the holding relay 104, the arm 120 engages a contact 124 causing the condenser 122 to be discharged through the marking control relay 78. This discharge circuit canbe traced from the upper terminal of the condenser 122 through the arm 120 and contact point 124 of the holding relay 104, the energizing winding 76 of the marking control relay 78, a lead 126, a lead 128, and the lead 92 to the other terminal of the condenser 122.

When the marking control relay 78 is energized, it removes the motion-limiting latch referred to above (which will be described in detail presently) so that the solenoid 72, if actuated during the time the relay 78 is energized, is free to produce the longer or end-of-letter mark. The energization of the marking control relay 78 by the actuation of the cradle switch also energizes the marking sole noid 72. This energizing circuit can be traced from the outer end of the resistor 98 (connected to the power supply 90) through the lead 96, the energizing winding 74 of the marking solenoid 72, a lead 130, contact points 132 and 134 of the marking control relay 78, and the leads 126 and 128 to the negative terminal 88 of the marking power supply 90.

Thus, as when the marking relay 84 is energized, the condenser 102 discharges through the marking solenoid 72, producing in this instance the longer or end-of-letter indication.

It will be noted that both the marking control relay 78 and the marking solenoid 72 are energized only momentarily, the marking control relay 78 being arranged to be energized first so as to remove the motion-limiting latch prior to the time of energization of the marking solenoid 72. This sequence of operation can be obtained by incorporating a suitable time delay element in the solenoid circuit, but is more easily and economically accomplished by placing the switch that operates the marking solenoid 72 under the control of the marking control solenoid 78 as described above.

In operation, the records are removed and replaced with new ones by the machine operator at the location of the central equipment. In order that the operator will know when one of the dictating stations is in use, a signal light, in the form of a neon lamp 136, is provided at the location of the central equipment. This lamp is energized to produce a continuous or rapidly-blinking visible light whenever any one of the dictating stations is in use.

It will be recalled that the holding relay 104 is energized whenever any one of the handsets is lifted from its cradle. This relay 104 closes the visual indicator circuit which can be traced from an alternating current supply main 138 through the lead 128, the lead 92, a contact point 140 and arm 142 of the holding relay 104, a lead 144, a half-wave rectifier 146, a resistor 148, and the neon lamp 136 to the other alternating current supply main 150. A condenser 152 isconnected in parallel with the gaseous discharge lamp 136.

The resistor 148 may have a value such that it will not permit the lamp 136 to remain ionized continuously, in which event the lamp will blink rapidly as the charge on the condenser 152 builds up and discharges through the lamp. Alternatively, the resistor 148 may serve only as a current limiting resistor allowing the lamp 136 to glow continuously. Either mode of operation is entirely satisfactory. In the present embodiment the lamp glows continuously.

This same signal lamp 136 is used to indicate to the machine operator that the record on the machine has been filled nearly completely with dictation and that the machine is not in use by any one of the dictating stations. This permits the machine operator to change the record while the system is idle, so that the subsequent dictation will not be interrupted within a short period of time because the record is filled. For convenience, this interval of recording time near the end of the record is called the twilight zone. This interval can be adjusted as desired from substantially zero to about five minutes.

When the carriage, indicated diagrammatically at 153, of the dictating machine has moved to a position corresponding to the beginning of the twilight zone, a switch plate 154, actuates a switch, generally indicated at 155, to its closed position and maintains it in the closed position so long as the carriage is within the twilight zone. The length of the twilight zone can be adjusted by changing the position of the switch plate 154 relative to the carriage 153.

When the contacts 156 of the switch 155 are closed a second energizing circuit is completed for the lamp 136. This circuit can be traced from the alternating current supply main 138 through the lead 126, contacts 156 of the twilight-zone switch 155, a lead 158, a half-wave rectifier 160, a series resistor 162, and the lamp 136 to the other supply main 150. A condenser 164 is connected between the junction of the resistor 162 and the rectifier 160 and the supply main 150.

The resistance of the resistor 162 is much greater than that of the resistor 148 so that the latter energizing circuit has no significant efiect on the operation of the lamp 136 so long as it is being energized through the resistor 148.

In one practical embodiment, the resistor 148 had a value of 56,000 ohms and the resistor 162 a value of 2.2 megohms; the condenser 152 had a capacity of 0.25 microfarad and the condenser 164- a value of 10.0 microfarads. The indicator lamp 136 may be an ordinary two element neon lamp of the type ordinarily used as a panel indicator.

If the dictator returns the telephone handset to the cradle during the twilight zone, the holding relay 104 is deenergized and the energizing circuit through the resistor 148 for the lamp 136 is interrupted. The energizing circuit through the twilight zone switch 155 and the resistor 162 remains efiective. The lamp 136 now flashes at regular intervals because of the time required to charge the condenser 152 through the resistor 162. This distinctive flashing light indicates to the machine operator that the system is not in use and that the record on the machine has been filled or almost filled with dictation.

It is not only desirable that the machine operator know when the carriage has entered the twilight zone, but it is also convenient for the person dictating to know when the record is nearly exhausted. This is accomplished by an intermittent beep signal audible in the receiver 16. This beep signal is an audible tone that is repeated for an instant once each twelve seconds while the machine is operating in the twilight zone. In addition, a beep signal is produced each time the clutch control circuit is energized which serves as a continual reminder to the dictator that the record is almost filled to capacity, although these short beep signals do not interfere to any great extent with the usual dictating operation.

The circuits for generating the beep signal, generally indicated at 166, are controlled by the contacts of the twilight switch 155. When the carriage enters the twilight zone, an energizing circuit is completed from the positive terminal 70 of the relay power supply 54 through a lead 172, an energizing winding 174 of a relay generally indicated at 176, a lead 178, contacts of the clutch control relay 66, contacts 170 of the twilight switch 155, a lead 181, and the lead 109 to the negative terminal 52 of the relay power supply 54.

Thus, the relay 176 is energized during the twilight zone whenever the clutch control relay 66 is energized. The relay 176 applies plate voltage to a vacuum tube multivibrator timer circuit, generally indicated at 182, and also makes plate voltage available for a vacuum tube tone generator, generally indicated at 184, the energize.- tion of which is completed periodically by the beep control relay 38 which is controlled by the multivibrator 182.

When the relay 176 is energized, a circuit is completed from a positive voltage supply terminal 186 of a beep circuit power supply 187 through contacts 188 of the relay 176, a lead 190, and a plate load resistor 192, to the first anode 194 of a dual-triode vacuum tube 196. The associated control grid 198 of this tube is connected through a grid-return resistor 200 to the common ground circuit through which connection is made to the common negative supply terminal 201 of the beep power supply 187. The two cathodes 202 and 204 of this tube are connected directly to the common ground circuit.

As in the usual multivibrator, the anode 194 of the first section is coupled through a condenser 206 to the control grid 208 of the second section, the grid return circuit being completed through a resistor 210. The anode 212 of the second section is connected through the energizing Winding 214 of the relay 38 and a load resistor 216 to the positive voltage supply lead 190. The signal developed by the second section of the tube 196 is coupled to the control grid 198 of the first section by a condenser 218.

As in conventional multivibrators, the plate current flows alternately in the two sections of the tube, the switching rate depending upon the time constants of the circuit networks. The relay 38, being energized by the flow of current through the second section of the tube 196, is alternately energized and deenergized.

When the beep-control relay 38 is energized, its contacts 220 are closed connecting the positive terminal 186 of the power supply 54 to the center tap of the primary winding 222 of an audio transformer 224 of the tone generator 184. One end of this winding is connected directly to the anode 226 of a triode vacuum tube 228 and the other end is connected through a condenser 230 to the control grid 232, which is returned to ground through a. resistor 233. The winding 222 is tuned to the desired frequency of oscillation, for example 1400 cycles per second, by a condenser 234 connected in parallel with the winding 222. The cathode 236 of this tube is connected to ground through a resistor 238.

The audio tone signal developed by the generator 224 is coupled to the inter-olfice lines 4 and 6 through the transformer 224, the secondary winding 240 of which is connected through a resistor 242 to a potentiometer 244. One end of the potentiometer 244 is connected through an isolating resistor 246 and a condenser 248 to the inter-oflice lead 6 and the movable slider on the potentiometer 244 is connected to the line 4 so that whenever the tone generator 184 is operating, a signal is heard in the receiver 16.

In order that the beep signal will not be recorded along with the dictation, the connection between the interofiice lead 4 and the lead 40 (which goes to the recording circuits) is interrupted whenever the relay 38 is energized. During the beep signal, the arm 36 of the relay 38 moves from contact 34 to a contact 250, disconnecting the recording circuits and connecting a terminating resistor 252 across the input of the amplifying circuits of the dictating machine. Although no audio signals are recorded during the beep signal, this is no serious disadvantage because the duration of each beep signal is so short that the momentary blanking does not detract significantly from the intelligibility of the recorded dictation.

The short-duration beep signal is attained by the selection of the values of the components of the multivibrator timer circuit 182. In one practical embodiment, the tube 196 was a l2AU7 and the associated components had the following values:

Plate load resistor 216 ohms 4,700 Coupling condenser 218 microfarad 0.25 Grid return resistor 200 ohrns 270,000 Plate load resistor 192 do 100,000 Coupling condenser 206 microfarad 0.5 Grid return resistor 210 megohms 12 When the relay 176 closes, the second section of the tube 196 draws plate current for the first interval of time. The relay 38 is thus closed, causing an immediate beep signal, but because of the faster reaction of the shorter time constant circuits associated with the control grid 198 of the first section of the tube, the plate current in this section is immediately cut-off, deenergizing the relay 38. During the next interval of time the first section of the tube draws plate current and because of the long time constant of the circuits associated with the grid 208 of the second section, this period of time is substantially longer than the first period. With the values of circuit components set forth above, the relay remains deenergized for approximately twelve seconds and is then energized for a period of 0.1 to 0.2 of a second.

Thus, when the carriage is in the twilight zone, that is, when there is less than same predetermined amount of recording time remaining on the record, the dictator hears a short tone signal each time he closes the clutch switch 50 and, if he continues dictating, hears another beep signal each twelve seconds thereafter until the end of the record is reached.

Figure 2 shows a simplified circuit for controlling the marking mechanism shown mounted on the front of the dictating machine, generally indicated at 260, which records the dictation on a plastic belt record.

When the dictating system is in use, the holding relay 104 is energized maintaining the arm 120 in engagement with the contact 113, and marking relay is deenergized so that the contacts 86 are open.

Under these circumstances, the condensers 102 and 122 are each charged to the full potential existing between the terminals 88 and 100 of the power supply 9-0. If the marking relay 84 is energized closing the con tacts 186, a circuit is completed from one terminal of the condenser 102 through the contacts 36, and the energizing winding of the rotary solenoid 72 to the other terminal of the condenser 102. The discharge of the condenser 102 through the solenoid 72 produces the shorter correction mark on the indication slip 71.

If the holding relay 1&4 is decnergized, the arm 120 engages the contact 124 and the condenser 122 is connected to discharge through the marking-control solenoid 78. This discharge circuit can be traced from one terminal of the condenser 122 through the arm 120, contact point 124, and the energizing winding of the marking control solenoid 78 to the other terminal of the condenser 122. When the solenoid 73 is thus energized, it closes the contacts 132 and 134 completing the circuit for energizing the marking solenoid 72. This energizing circuit can be traced from the negative terminal of the condenser 102 through the contacts 132' and 134, and the energizing winding of the marking relay 72 to the other terminal of the condenser 102. Under the circumstances, both of the relays 72 and 78 are energized and the longer mark is produced.

The mechanical arrangement of the marking device is shown in Figures 3 through 6. As shown in Figure 3, the marking mechanism is supported from a base 262 secured to the frame of the dictating machine 260. An upwardly extending bracket 264 provides support for the marking control solenoid 78.

The winding 76 is rigidly supported from this bracket 264 by suitable mounting posts, as at 266. The armature 268 of this solenoid is slidably positioned within the winding 76 and is biased toward the left, as seen in Figure 3, by a compression spring between the end of the annature 268 and the face of the bracket 264.

A plate 270 is carried by the armature and supports an arm 272 to which the contact point 132 is secured. When the winding 76 is energized, the armature 268 is drawn into the winding toward the right as viewed in Figure 3, carrying with it the arm 272 and closing the contacts 132 and 134.

The outer end of the armature 268 is bifurcated as best shown in Figure 4, and is pivotally secured by a pin 274 to the end of a bell crank 276. This bell crank is pivotally supported by a pivot screw 278 that engages an extension 280 from the bracket 264. The bell crank 276 is provided with an arm extending beneath the solenoids 72 and 78 toward the right as seen in Figure 3, and serves as the motion-limiting latch for controlling the extent of movement of the rotary solenoid 72 as will be explained.

The rotary solenoid 72 is housed within a casing 282 and is of conventional construction. When the solenoid 72 is energized, its armature (not shown) is drawn into the winding and carries with it, toward the left as seen in Figure 3, a cam plate 282 (Figure 5). This cam plate 284 is provided with three or more cam runways as indicated at 286, in each of which is positioned a small ball-bearing 288 (Figure 3) which rests against the smooth face of the housing 282. These grooves 286, which gradually increase in depth from one end to the other, are arranged to serve as cam members so that when the cam plate 284 is forced toward the housing 282 by the energization of the solenoid 272, the balls 288, which are retained in suitable pockets in the face of the cover plate 282 cause the cam member 284 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5.

The rotary plate 284 is supported by an arm 290 which extends through a bearing 292 in a vertical bracket 294.

The rotary plate 284 carries a pin 290 which extends toward the right from this plate as seen in Figure 3. As best shown in Figure 5, this pin 290 is arranged to strike a crank member 292 as the rotary plate 284 rotates in a clockwise direction. The crank member 292 is rotatably supported by means of a shaft 294 supported by a bearing 296 in a bracket 298.

A tension spring 300 is connected between the crank member 202 and a pin 302 which is supported by the bracket 264. This spring 300 biases the crank member 292 for rotation in a counter-clockwise direction, and serves to return the rotary plate 284 in its initial position whenever the solenoid 72 is deenergized.

A tray 30 is (see Figures 3 and 6) provided for supporting the pad of indicator slips 71. This tray 304 is pivotally mounted near its upper edge. At the end of the tray nearest the solenoid 72, the tray is provided with a bracket 306 which is pivotally supported on an end portion of reduced diameter of the shaft 294. At the opposite end, the tray 304 is pivotally supported on a pin 308 which is in alignment with the shaft 296 and which is supported by a suitable bracket arrangement from the base 262.

aroma An L-shaped .bracket 310 is secured to the underside Of the tray 304, and is provided with a bifurcated end portion which is fitted over a pin 312 carried by the crank member 292. When the rotary plate 284 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5, the extension pin 290 strikes the crank arm 292 rotating it about the center of the shaft 294, causing the exten- 'sion pin 312 to rotate the tray 304 from the position shown in solid lines in Figure 6, to the position indicated in broken lines.

An arm 314 supported from the sound recording head carriage mechanism of the dictating machine and resiliently pressed against the top indicator slip 71 carries a marking wheel 316 which rolls along the surface of the indicator pad as the pad moves from the position shown in solid lines of Figure 6 to the position shown in broken lines, and produces a vertical mark on the indicator slip, whose position depends upon the position to which the head driving mechanism (not shown) has moved the head carriage mechanism during recording.

The motion of the indicator slip 71, and therefore the length of the mark, is limited by the crank member 292 which strikes the motion-limiting latch member or bell crank 276 as best shown in Figure 5.

However, when the marking control solenoid 78 is energized, moving its armature 268 toward the right as seen in Figure 3, the right-hand end of the bell crank or motion-limiting latch 276 moves downwardly out of the path of the crank member 292 so that if the solenoid 78 is energized prior to the energization of the solenoid 72, the movement of the crank member 292 is not limited and accordingly moves beyond the position of the latch member 276 and makes a longer indication mark on the indicator slip 71.

The subject matter of Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 and portions of the subject matter of Figure 2 are claimed in a copending application of George Taylor Stanton and Ralph H. Sherman, Jr., Serial No. 353,206, filed May 5, 1953.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dictation system, signaling apparatus comprising a recording head, sound transducing means remote from said recording head, first circuit means connecting said transducing means to said recording head, a record media, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record, switch means responsive to the movement of said head along said path and arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point thereon, an audio signal generator arranged to produce an audio frequency signal, a timer comprising a vacuum-tube multivibrator, means under the control of said switch means for controlling the operation of said multivibrator, relay means controlled by said multivibrator for coupling signals from said generator to said transducing means, an indicator lamp, and second circuit means under the control of said switch means for energizing said lamp.

2. In a remote dictation system wherein any one of a plurality of dictators stations may be connected to a centrally-located recording machine for transmitting sound signals to be recorded by said machine, apparatus for apprising a dictator of the approaching'end of the dietation period comprising, in combination, a recording head for said machine, a record medium positioned adjacent said recording head, drive means for producing relative travelling movement between said recording head and said record medium along a predetermined path, drive control means operable from any of said dictators stations and adapted to actuate said drive means to produce said relative travelling movement, sound transducing means at each of said dictators stations, a voice circuit for connecting said sound transducing means to said recording head, a switch associated with said central recording machine and responsive to the relative motion between said head and said record medium, said switch being arranged to be actuated at a fixed r point along said path spaced from the end of said path, an audio signal generator adapted when energized to produce alternating electrical signals in the audible range, a timing device associated with said generator for controlling the output thereof so as to produce a series of periodicallyspaced tone signals of short duration, means under the control of said switch for initiating operation of said signal generator and said timing device, and electrical circuit means for coupling the output of said signal generator to said voice circuit, whereby said series of periodically-spaced short-duration tone signals produces in said sound transducing means a warning indication of the approaching end of the record.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and including an indicator lamp, a source of current for energizing said lamp, and second electrical circuit means under the control of said switch for connecting said source of current to said lamp.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and including a second switch under the control of said timing device and arranged to be actuated concurrently with each shortduration tone signal produced by said signal generator, said second switch being adapted when actuated to disable said voice circuit to prevent said tone signals from being, recorded by said recording machine but permitting said tone signals to be transmitted to said sound transducing means.

5. In a remote dictation system wherein. any one of a plurality of dictators stations may be connected to a centrally-located recording machine for transmitting sound signals to be recorded by said machine, apparatus for apprising a dictator of the approaching end of the dictation period comprising, in combination, a recording head for said machine, a record medium associated with said recording head, drive means for producing relative travelling movement between said recording head and said record medium along a predetermined path, drive control means operable from any of said dictators stations and adapted to actuate said drive means to produce said relative travelling movement, sound transducing means at each of said dictators stations, a voice circuit for connecting said sound transducing means to said recording head, a switch associated with said recording machine and responsive to the relative motion between said recording head and said record medium, said switch being arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point along said path spaced from the end of said path, an audio signal generator adapted when energized to produce alternating electrical signals in the audible range, a pulseforming device associated with said generator for controlling the output thereof so as to produce tone signals of short duration, means under the control of said switch for conditioning said signal generator and said pulseforming device for operation, means responsive to actuation of said drive control means and arranged to activate said generator and said pulse-forming device when said generator and said device have been conditioned for operation by actuation of said switch, and electrical circuit means for coupling the output of said signal generator to said voice circuit, whereby when a dictator operates said drive control means near the end of the record he is enabled to hear in said transducing means an immediate short tone signal to warn of the approaching end of the dictation period.

6. In a remote dictation system wherein any one of a plurality of dictators stations may be connected to a centrally-located recording machine for transmitting sound signals to be recorded by said machine, apparatus for apprising a dictator of the approaching end of the dictation period and comprising, in combination, a recording head for said machine, a record medium associated with said recording head, drive means for producing relative travelling movement between said recording head and said record medium along a predetermined path, drive control means operable from any of said 11 dictators stations and adapted to actuate said drive means to produce said relative travelling movement, sound transducing means at each ofsaid dictators stations, a voice circuit for connecting said sound transducing means to said recording head, a switch associated with said recording machine and responsive to the relative motion between said head and said record medium, said switch being arranged to be actuated at ,a predetermined point along said path spaced from the end of said path, an audio signal generator adapted when energized to produce alternating electrical signals in the audible range, a pulse-forming device associated with said signal generator for controlling the output thereof to produce a series of periodically-spaced short-duration tone signals, means under the control of said switch for initiating operation of said signal generator and said pulse-forming device when said switch is actuated, means responsive to operation of said drive control means and arranged upon activation thereof to energize said signal generator and said pulse-forming device when said switch is maintained in actuated condition by the relative positioning of said recording head and said record, and electrical circuit means for coupling the output of said signal generator to said voice circuit, whereby when a dictator operates said drive control means near the end of the record he is enabled to hear in said transducing means an immediate short tone signal followed by a series of periodically-spaced short tone signals to warn of the approaching end of the dictation period.

7. In a dictation system having a recording machine and a remotely-located dictators station with a sound transducing unit at said station, an apparatus for producing a pattern of intermittent audible short-duration tone signals from said unit to indicate the approaching end of a record in said machine comprising a recording head in said machine, a sound transducing unit at said remote station, a voice channel connecting said transducing unit to said recording head, a record in said machine, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record, switch means responsive to the movement of said head along said path and arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point along said path spaced from the end of said path, an audio signal generator, an output timer control for controlling said signal generator to produce said pattern of short-duration tone signals, means under the control of said switch means for initiating operation of said signal generator and timer, and means for connecting said signal generator to said voice channel, whereby said pattern of short-duration tone signals is heard over said transducing unit to warn and remind the user of the approach of the end of the record.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 and including circuit interrupting means in said voice channel responsive to said output timer control and arranged to interrupt the voice channel connection to said recording head during periods when said short-duration tone signals are being produced, whereby said signals are prevented from being recorded on the record.

9. In a dictation system, an apparatus for producing an intermittent audible signal to indicate the approaching end of the record comprising a recording head, sound transducing means remote from said recording head, circuit means connecting said transducing means to said recording head, a record media, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record media, first switch means responsive to the movement of said head along said path and arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point along said path, an audio signal generator, second switch means arranged to energize and deenergize said generator, a multivibrator connected to said second switch means and arranged to operate it periodically to produce spaced short-duration tone signals, means under the control of said first switch means for initiating operation of 12 said signal generator, and relay means under the control of said multivibrator for interrupting said circuit means and connecting said signal generator to said transducing means when said signal generator is energized.

10. In a dictation system, signaling apparatus comprising a recording head, sound transducing means remote from said recording head, first circuit means connecting said transducing mean to said recording head, a record media, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said head, a clutch for operating said drive means, clutch switch means arranged to actuate said clutch, twilight switch means responsive to the movement of said head along said path and arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point thereon, an audio signal generator arranged to produce an audio frequency signal, means connecting said generator to said transducing means, an electronic multivibrator, a relay under the control of said multivibrator connected to said generator and arranged to turn said generator alternately off and on at spaced intervals of time, and means under the control of said switch means for controlling the operation of said multivibrator.

11. In a dictation system, signaling apparatus comprising a central recording machine including a recording head, sound transducing means remote from said recording machine, first circuit means connecting said sound transducing means to said recording head, a record media, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record, switch means responsive to the movement of said head along a portion of said path and arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point thereon spaced from the end of said path, an indicator lamp associated with said recording machine, second circuit means for energizing said lamp to glow continuously when said transducing means is connected to said head, and third circuit means under the control of said switch means and responsive to the interruption of said first circuit means for modifying the energization of said lamp to cause it to flash whenever said transducing means is disconnected from said head after said head has reached said predetermined point.

12. In a dictation system, signaling apparatus comprising a central recording machine having a recording head, sound transducing means remote from said recording machine, first circuit means connecting said sound transducing means to said recording head, a record media, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record, switch means arranged to be closed when said head reaches a predetermined point along said path in advance of the end of said path, an indicator lamp, second circuit means responsive to the actuation of said drive means for energizing said lamp, third circuit means independent of said second circuit means connected in series with said switch means and responsive to the interruption of said first circuit means for periodically energizing said lamp.

13. In a dictation system, signaling apparatus comprising a recording head, sound transducing means remote from said recording head, first circuit means including relay means for connecting said transducing means to said recording head, a record media, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record, switch means responsive to the movement of said head along said path and arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point thereon, a gaseous-discharge indicator lamp, a first lampenergizing circuit including a rectifier, a series resistor, and a shunt capacitor under the control of said switch means and for energizing said lamp, and a second lampenergizing circuit including a rectifier, a series resistor, and a shunt capacitor under the control of said relay means for energizing said lamp.

14. In a central-station-type dictation system wherein a plurality of remote dictator stations are connected to a sound recording and reproducing machine located at the central station, an apparatus for producing an intermittent audible signal to indicate the approaching end of the record comprising a recording head in said machine, transducing means at each dictator station, circuit means for connecting said transducing means to said recording head, a record media in said machine, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record media, a clutch for actuating said drive means, switch means in said machine responsive to the movement of said head along said path and arranged to be actuated at a predetermined point near the end of said path, an audio signal generator at said central station, a timer for cyclically turning said signal generator on and off to produce spaced short-duration tone signals, means mutually under the control of said switch means and responsive to actuation of said clutch for initiating operation of said signal generator at the on portion of its cycle, a circuit for connecting said generator to said transducing means, and means under the control of said timer for disconnecting said signal generator from said head when said generator is turned on, whereby an audible signal is heard whenever said clutch is actuated after said head has reached said predetermined point.

15. In a central-station-type dictation system wherein a plurality of remote dictator stations are connected to a sound recording and reproducing machine located at the central station, an apparatus for producing a visible endof-letter mark to indicate the end of dictated matter comprising a recording head in said machine, a microphone unit and an associated supporting rack at each dictator station, a voice channel between said microphone units and said recording head, a switch at each dictator station responsive to removal of the microphone unit at that respective station from its rack for connecting the microphone at that respective station with said voice channel, and responsive to replacement of the microphone unit on its rack for disconnecting the microphone from the voice channel, a record media in said machine, drive means arranged to move said head along a predetermined path relative to the surface of said record media, a writing medium near said path, a marking member associated with said head and movable therewith, a marking solenoid at said central station for actuating said marking member to produce a mark on said medium corresponding to the position of the head at the time the mark is made, and circuit means responsive to disconnection of any one of said microphones from said voice channel for conditioning said solenoid to actuate said marking member to produce said mark.

16. In a remote dictation system wherein any one of a plurality of dictators stations may be connected to a centrally-located recording machine for transmitting sound signals to be recorded by said machine, apparatus for apprising a dictator of the approaching end of the dictation period comprising, in combination, a recording head for said machine, a record medium positioned adjacent said recording head, drive means for producing relative travelling movement between said recording head and said record medium along a predetermined path, drive control means operable from any of said dictators stations and adapted to actuate said drive means to produce said relative travelling movement, sound transducing means at each of said dictators stations, a voice circuit for connecting said sound transducing means to said recording head, a switch associated with said central recording machine and responsive to the relative motion between said head and said record medium, said switch being arranged to be actuated at a fixed point along said path spaced from the end of said path, an audio signal generator adapted when energized to produce alternating electrical signals in the audible range, a timing device associated with said generator for controlling the output thereof so as to produce a series of periodicallyspaced tone signals of short duration, electrical circuit means for coupling the output of said signal generator to said voice circuit, and means under the control of said switch for initiating the transmission of said periodicallyspaced tone signals from said signal generator and said timing device through said electrical circuit means to said voice circuit, whereby said series of periodicallyspaced short-duration tone signals produces in said sound transducing means a warning indication of the approaching end of the record.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

